Securing First U.S. Manufacturing Base
Additional Investments Under Consideration
Samsung Biologics has secured its first manufacturing base in the United States.
On December 22, Samsung Biologics announced that it had signed an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to acquire the Human Genome Sciences (HGS) biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility located in Rockville, Maryland, USA.
The acquisition will be carried out by Samsung Biologics America, the U.S. subsidiary of Samsung Biologics. The purchase price is $280 million (approximately 414.7 billion KRW). The asset acquisition process under the contract is expected to be completed within the first quarter of next year.
Aerial view of Humangenomics Science Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility located in Rockville, Maryland, USA. Samsung Biologics
The Rockville facility is a drug substance (DS) manufacturing plant with a total capacity of 60,000 liters, located at the heart of the Maryland bio cluster in the United States. The site consists of two manufacturing buildings and is equipped with infrastructure to support antibody drug production at various scales, from clinical to commercial stages.
By acquiring this facility, Samsung Biologics will succeed the existing manufacturing contracts and secure a stable volume of large-scale contract manufacturing (CMO) orders. To ensure operational stability, all 500 local employees with experience and expertise in plant operations will be retained. The company also plans to consider additional investments, such as expanding production capacity, based on mid- to long-term demand and utilization rates.
Additionally, through this acquisition, Samsung Biologics will establish a dual production system connecting Songdo, Korea, and Rockville, USA, providing global clients with flexible and reliable manufacturing options. This will not only expand collaboration with North American customers but also enhance the company’s ability to respond to changes in regional supply environments, further strengthening its competitiveness in contract development and manufacturing (CDMO).
John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, stated, "This acquisition is a strategic decision to advance the global healthcare industry and strengthen manufacturing capabilities in the United States. Based on collaboration with various stakeholders, including federal, state, and local governments, we will enhance customer support and the reliability of biopharmaceutical supply, and continuously improve the competitiveness of the Rockville facility through cooperation with the experienced local workforce."
Regis Simard, President of Global Supply Chain at GSK, said, "Through this transaction, our long-term partner Samsung Biologics will acquire the Rockville facility, ensuring the stable domestic production of key medicines for U.S. patients. This will also further strengthen GSK’s stability and responsiveness in global supply chain operations."
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